Oct. 19-20—For two days, the town of Wellfleet devotes their streets to a festival for locals and visitors to enjoy arts and crafts, live music, children’s activities and a 5K road race. Food is also a prominant feature of this appropiately named event. Lectures, cooking demonstrations and local cusine are offered to attendees. The crowning moment of the festival culminates in an oyster shucking contest. Participants are given 24 oysters to shuck as fast and as accurately as they can. Points are lost for any broken shells or other appearance mishaps. The winner, usually finished in two to three minutes, earns $1,000 and a place at the national oyster shucking championship. Main Street, $5 for a one-day ticket, $8 for a two-day pass, children under 12, free. www.wellfleetoysterfest.orgNext

Mickey Pullen

Oct. 19—Downtown Keene, N.H., will host this festival dedicated to the pumpkin. It will include the Great Pumpkin Mile Race, as well as a “pumpkin promenade” in which artitically carved pumpkins will be on display in downtown windows and storefronts. Oh, and you can’t miss the pumpkin tower, featuring hundreds of lit jack-o’-lanterns – this year, there’s even a world record at stake. Free admission. Downtown Keene, N.H., www.pumpkinfestival.orgNext

Oct. 12—The Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, N.H., will host a “traditional New England country fair” with crafts, livestock demonstrations, and more fall activities and exhibits. Foodies rejoice: the festival is taking place in conjunction with the Prescott Park Chili Cook-Off once again this year. Admission $15 for adults, $6 for children under 12, free for Strawbery Banke Museum and Prescott Park Arts Festival members. 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth, N.H., 603 433 1100, www.strawberybanke.orgNext

Tom Meyers

Oct. 19-20—While Wachusett Mountain knows how to entertain during the snowy winters, its fall AppleFest is a celebration of the season and all it has to offer. Attendees can browse craft and farmers market booths, take a SkyRide to the mountain summit, attend the Oktoberfest celebration and watch a chainsaw carving demonstration. Kids can enjoy pony rides, clowns, magicians, jugglers and hay rides. There will also be a New England Apple Pie contest, a giant pumpkin weigh-off, hiking and a road race. 99 Mountain Road, 978-464-2300, adults $9, 6-12 $4, SkyRides priced separately, www.wachusett.comNext

The Boston Globe/File

Saturdays and Sundays in September and October—Applecrest Farm has invited guests to share in the harvest with them for nearly four decades, opening their grounds to the public on fall weekends. Pick your own fruit and pumpkins, or enjoy a horse-drawn hayride. There will be events taking place throughout the fall including antique car and tractor shows. Check website for details. Parking and admission free, 133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls, N.H., 603-926-3721, www.applecrest.comBack to the beginning